NHS staff 'sicker in poor areas'

Ambulance workers have among the highest sick leave levels in the NHS Continue reading the main storyRelated StoriesWould a free car stop people taking sickies?NHS sickness 'higher than in public sector'NHS urged to curb staff sickness More NHS staff take sick leave in areas of high deprivation in England, Audit Commission figures suggest.

The report looked at data collected between July 2009 and June 2010.

It also found junior staff were more likely to take time off than senior colleagues: healthcare assistants had the highest average absence rate, followed by ambulance staff.

Professor Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work, said the findings would "prompt reflection".

There are wide variations around the country when it comes to NHS sickness absence, with some organisations having a rate of 1.6% and others reporting 6.8%.

Healthcare assistants have the highest average rate of absence taking off 6.5% of their working time, followed by ambulance staff at 6.3%, and nurses, midwives and health visitors at 5.2%.

Overall, the North East has the highest sickness rate on average, with the lowest seen in London.

'Unsustainable demand'

Mental health and learning disability trusts, as well as ambulance trusts have some of the highest rates, according to the study from the Audit Commission.